Mavericks notes: Dalembert is a huge key for Dallas

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he doesn’t know if center Samuel Dalembert has a sleeping disorder. But he does know that when Dalembert plays to his full potential, the Mavs are a different team.

“Sam and I talk, so it’s no big secret to him,” Cuban said before Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. “I told him I think he’s All-Star caliber when he’s laying it out there.”

Dalembert resembled an All-Star on Friday night when he collected nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks in just 18 minutes during the Mavs’ 107-90 victory over the Pelicans.

“His length and activity [Friday], it takes us up a notch for sure,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “It just increases our depth and rebounding, and he attacks the rim.”

Counting Saturday’s win over the Pelicans, the Mavs are 16-8 with Dalembert in the starting lineup. But he’s also been disciplined twice for being late for practice.

Bank of Cuban

The Mavs will again be opportunistic this summer when a star-studded group of players could opt-out and become free agents.

“We’re always exploring, but it’s also harder to do deals now just because of the rules,” Cuban said. “But we’re always wide open.”

Asked if the Bank of Cuban is open for business, Cuban said: “It’s always been open. Even on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Asked if the Bank of Cuban is open when it comes to center Andrew Bynum, who is currently a free agent, Cuban said: “No, that’s not a banking issue. That’s not to say we wouldn’t consider him.

“But we look at everybody, and then we make a determination. Any free agent we can offer the minimum, so it’s not a banking issue.”

Excited about Ledo

The Mavs are excited about rookie guard Ricky Ledo, who, going into Saturday’s game, was 3-of-5 from the field with seven points in 13 minutes in two games since being recalled from the Texas Legends of the D-League.

“He did a lot of really good things and you can see why we’re excited about him,” Cuban said. “He hadn’t played real basketball for 30 minutes at a time since high school, so he had to get back in sync.

“He’s still learning and he’ll get better.”

Marion, Ellington out

Forward Shawn Marion missed his third consecutive game Saturday with a bruised right shoulder and bruised upper ribs.

Marion, who is out indefinitely, suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wayne Ellington, meanwhile, missed his second straight game with an illness.